Dimmer Switch

A

AdamFogle

New Member

Jul 8, 2005

38

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Frederick, MD

Nov 6, 2006

#1

• Nov 6, 2006

• #1

My lights all of the sudden went out on my instrument cluster and HVAC controls. I did a search on here to see what has been said about this before. I checked the fuse and the fuse is still good. So, I am thinking next that it is probably the dimmer switch. Now that I think about it, it was getting tempermental to the point where I had to have it just right for the lights to come on. So, my question is where can I get a switch and does anyone have a "how to" on it? I checked at a local parts store and they didnt have one. I checked out 50resto and couldn't find anything either.

 

04sleeper

Founding Member

Jun 22, 2002

2,674

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89

Dallas, TX

Nov 6, 2006

#2

• Nov 6, 2006

• #2

You are probably correct with your diagnostics.

FYI: If you order one, order one for a 93. They upgraded the dimmer switch somewhere in 92ish. (Assuming this is for your 90)

As far as the install, it is pretty straight forward. Pull out the headlight and hazzard switches and unplug, unbolt the cluster housing and other surrounding panels to access the screws. Pull it out and it will expose the 2 screws holding it into the dash. Unscrew them and unplug it and plug the new one in.

Not too hard.

 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta

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Nov 22, 2001

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119

Motor City

Nov 6, 2006

#3

• Nov 6, 2006

• #3

Those go bad often.

 

stangjunkie

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Nov 15, 2004

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Nov 6, 2006

#4

• Nov 6, 2006

• #4

mine did the same thing but i wiggled it and they came back on... still a little tempermental but i think i decided mine is a ground wire

 

Saleen0679

10 Year Member

Apr 14, 2005

876

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Yakima, WA

Nov 6, 2006

#5

• Nov 6, 2006

• #5

AdamFogle said:

I checked out 50resto and couldn't find anything either.

Click to expand...

If this is for your 90 then 50resto carries them under the p/n LRS-11691A, but they are now up to the ridiculous price of $90. Your best bets are probably the junkyard or ebay as mentioned. I also have an extra used one here if you can't find one.

R&R is easy as 04sleeper mentioned. You may not even have to remove the Hazard and Light switches if the harnesses give you enough slack to pivot the cluster trim so you can access the Panel Dim switch.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

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Nov 6, 2006

#6

• Nov 6, 2006

• #6

It sounds like you already ran the rheostat up and down to try and clear it out. Rats.

Kevin, how far backwards does your retrofit go? Said another way, I wasn't sure if there was a difference in the dimmers in tilt/bagged cars vs non? That's a nice tip that I hadn't heard before.

 

Prime Lord

Crappy Default Title

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Sep 19, 2000

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Nov 6, 2006

#7

• Nov 6, 2006

• #7

Thats a good question...b/c mine is getting ready to go. It has to be in JUST the right spot to work. Will one from the "updated" 93 work in the '87 dash?

 

Saleen0679

10 Year Member

Apr 14, 2005

876

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Yakima, WA

Nov 6, 2006

#8

• Nov 6, 2006

• #8

I had to replace mine in 97. It basically became an on/off switch. When I got mine it didn't even have the 'Panel Dim' label. I had to transfer the label from the old switch.

The newer style is just a different design with the same front mounting dimensions and is a little shorter in depth and is made out of plastic instead of aluminum. The contacts have been changed from the coil spring to contact pads. The dome light part of the switch has also been updated.

When I replaced mine the green adhesive they used to keep the spring contact in place had turned into a powder mess that had to be vacuumed out from the mounting area.

 

04sleeper

Founding Member

Jun 22, 2002

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Dallas, TX

Nov 6, 2006

#9

• Nov 6, 2006

• #9

HISSIN50 said:

Kevin, how far backwards does your retrofit go? Said another way, I wasn't sure if there was a difference in the dimmers in tilt/bagged cars vs non? That's a nice tip that I hadn't heard before.

Click to expand...

Well I'm surprised that I know something you didn't JT. LOL....

It can go back until 87. I put in a lot of 93 parts into my 88 GT and that was one of the things that I noticed.

There are quite a few differences in the years actually.

The dimmer switch was one thing I liked better along with the updated seat belts, and updated dome light.

Prime Lord said:

Thats a good question...b/c mine is getting ready to go. It has to be in JUST the right spot to work. Will one from the "updated" 93 work in the '87 dash?

Click to expand...

Yes. It will work just fine. The plug is the same and everything. Just look at the pic Saleen0679 put up.

I didn't have any pics handy or I would have posted them up.

I think I still have a few of the older dimmer switches laying around somewhere.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Nov 6, 2006

#10

• Nov 6, 2006

• #10

Saleen and Kevin, thank you very much. I know what route I'll go when the time comes. Normally, I just hardwire dimmer circuits when they go bad (I need full brightness anyhow). This sounds like a nice alternative.

Kevin, you and Saleen alone know volumes more than I.

 

A

AdamFogle

New Member

Jul 8, 2005

38

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0

Frederick, MD

Nov 7, 2006

#11

• Nov 7, 2006

• #11

Thanks guys. I'll check out the ole Ebay to see what I find. If not, I'll come pounding at the door of whoever said they have a spare one.